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Summary and Recommendation <br />The applicant has requested a variance to permit the storage of firewood, a boat and <br />trailer, and a utility trailer in his front yard. There appear to be unique conditions on the <br />property that would justify consideration of the variance, provided the City finds that the <br />proposed location uses the property in a reasonable manner. <br />Planning staff would recommend approval of the variance, with the following conditions: <br />1. Firewood storage constitutes no more than two cords at any one time, and no <br />more than 6 feet in height. <br />2. Except for setback requirements, firewood is stacked and stored in accordance <br />with City Code requirements Section 601.030 (p): <br />p) Storage of firewood. It shall be unlawful to accumulate and store building material, <br />lumber, firewood, boxes, cartons, or other containers, machinery, scrap metal, <br />junk, raw material, fabricated goods and other items in such a manner as to <br />become infested with rodents. Stored items must be stored on an impervious <br />surface, such as a poured concrete slab, or must be elevated at least 8 inches above <br />the ground. Firewood piles and other materials may only be located in the rear <br />yards and side yards. Such wood piles and other materials may not encroach on <br />any required rear or side yard set backs and must be a minimum of one foot from <br />buildings used for habitation. <br />3. Storage consists of one boat on a trailer and one utility trailer, with lengths of <br />each to be no more than 20 feet or heights of 6 feet. <br />4. The applicant plant a line of shrubs along the front lot line to screen the storage <br />area from properties to the north. Shrubs should be planted at least 24" in <br />height, no more than 4 feet on center. <br />With these conditions, staff believes that the proposed variance is supportable without <br />excessive impacts on the neighborhood. To approve the variance, the Planning <br />Commission and City Council should consider adoption of the following findings of fact: <br />a. The parcel at 298 Rose Lane has a number of unique conditions that create <br />practical difficulties in complying with zoning regulations relating to storage of <br />accessory equipment and parking. <br />b. Unique conditions include extreme slopes along the side lot lines that preclude <br />use of these areas for access to the rear yard or for storage and parking of <br />equipment. <br />c. The applicant is seeking to store firewood, a boat, and a utility trailer outside on <br />his residential lot, materials which are not uncommon in residential areas, and <br />which could be storage outdoors in other locations on the property. <br />25 <br />